Iodine, yes, the same brown stingy substance we put on wounds

A new Lancet study recommends pregnant women eat and drink more milk, eggs, dairy products, fish and iodised salt to prevent the risk of giving birth to brain damaged children with low IQs.

Iodine is essential for fetal brain development, and a new study of around 1000 UK mothers and their children has found even mild iodine deficiency in pregnancy can lead to children who perform poorly at reading, comprehension and verbal tasks.

The study measured child IQ at age eight, and reading ability at age nine, of women who had low levels of iodine in their urine during pregnancy. Children of women in the iodine-deficient group were significantly more likely to have low scores (lower quartile) of verbal IQ, reading accuracy and reading comprehension. Moreover, the lower the mother’s concentration of iodine, the lower were the average scores for IQ and reading ability in the children.

Public health issue that needs attention

Researchers say the research shows iodine deficiency during pregnancy “is an important a public health issue that needs attention”.

“Our results clearly show the importance of adequate iodine status during early pregnancy, and emphasise the risk that iodine deficiency can pose to the developing infant, even in a country classified as only mildly iodine deficient,” one of the authors Professor Margaret Rayman says.

Iodine is essential for producing the hormones made by the thyroid gland and has a direct effect on fetal brain development.

Pregnant women need 66 percent more iodine than non-pregnant women

The World Health Organisation consider iodine deficiency to be the single most important preventable cause of brain damage worldwide but it is usually only considered an issue in developing countries.

In 2009, after studies showed mild iodine deficiency in Australia, iodised salt has replaced non-iodised salt in all bread sold in Australia

The UK researchers measured the iodine concentration in urine samples taken from pregnant women during their first trimester. The mental development of the women’s children was assessed by measuring the child’s IQ at age eight, and reading ability at age nine.

After adjusting the results for parental education and breastfeeding, the researchers found that children of women in the iodine-deficient group were significantly more likely to have low scores of verbal IQ, reading accuracy, and reading comprehension.

The lower the mother’s concentration of iodine, the lower were the average scores for IQ and reading ability in the children.

The WHO recommends an iodine intake of 250 micrograms per day in pregnancy.

Read more about the importance of iodine in the diet during pregnancy:

Breastfeeding is best for babies and provides many benefits. Combined breast and bottle feeding in the first weeks of life may reduce the supply of your own breast milk. Always consult your doctor, midwife or health care professional for advice about feeding your baby. This post is part of the Early Life Nutrition story.